Holloway charged by FA for criticizing referee over penalty

AFP, LONDON

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 - Page 18

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway faces disciplinary charges over his conduct after his side’s Premier League loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the Football Association said on Tuesday.

Holloway said his team had been the victims of unfair officiating after a second-half penalty from Roberto Soldado gave Spurs a 1-0 win at Palace on the opening weekend of the season.

He is accused of questioning the match officials’ integrity and also faces a charge relating to his conduct in the vicinity of the referee’s changing room.

Holloway has until 4pm tomorrow to respond to the charges.

Holloway was aggrieved that Spurs winger Nacer Chadli was not penalized for a challenge on Stephen Dobbie shortly before the visiting team were awarded the penalty that decided the game.

After the match, Holloway told the BBC: “I’ve got to learn what a foul is because I thought Nacer Chadli deliberately bodychecked Stephen Dobbie, smashed him down and ran off with the ball. If the referee didn’t see that, the assistant should have.”

“It’s going to be a long, hard season for me with these people. I had this with [his former club] Blackpool,” he added. “Certain clubs get fouls and others don’t... I just want a bit of fairness. I want a foul like anyone else would have got one. I’ve got a horrible taste in my mouth after that.”